Independence Day for National City is all fun and games.
The National City Host Lions Club’s 77th annual carnival started Wednesday and runs through July 5, packed with live entertainment, food, amusement rides and carnival games.
Organizers expect to draw the yearly average of 40,000 people from the South Bay region.
The carnival and its ever popular Fourth of July fireworks show isn’t just one of National City’s historic community events, it is one of the largest community fundraisers in the city, raising money for the Host Lions Club and other communiy organizations.
The Lions Club supports 11 of 14 sports at Sweetwater High School. This year they are trying to help the school band fund uniforms by selling Mexican food at the event.
The Lions Club rents out fire retardant booths to churches, schools and nonprofit organizations for $400. The club charges $700 a booth for businesses and for-profit organizations. The money goes back into the community.
“This is our big claim to fame as far as fundraising,” said National City Host Lions Club member Brian Clapper.
Christiansen Amusements continues the tradition of providing the amusement rides and games. There are also raffles, informational booths, a talent show and the Miss National City Pageant.
The 20-minute fireworks show on the Fourth of July is always a hit, Clapper said.
“On the Fourth of July, you can’t get into this park,” he said. “We have the best fireworks show south of Los Angeles and the community never disappoints in watching the show.”
The firework production costs about $15,000, Clapper said. The city of National City foots half of the bill with the Lions Club paying the other half.
Food such as kettle corn, birra, corn on the cob and tortas will be for sale.
The carnival on Friday is from 5 to 11 p.m. with the Miss National City Scholarship Pageant at 7 p.m.
On the Fourth of July, the carnival runs from noon to midnight with fireworks at 9 p.m.
On July 5 the carnival is from 1 to 11 p.m.
